Column-writing
is my passion. It's all I've ever wanted to do in the newspaper business. And
while my abilities to rival some of the other greats in this state -- this
publication included -- may fall short, it is still gratifying to ply the trade
before you on a regular basis. Oh, to be like some of those who have filled
this space. My first mentor was Doug
Bradford, a quiet gentleman with a dry wit and writing style that won him
respect all throughout Alabama. Bill Coker came along in the procession, a unique
blend of both an official and writer extraordinaire. Ron Ingram made prep
sports a priority and I'm proud to say I hired two of the best in the business
today, editor Jon Johnson and Alabama beat man Ken Rogers.

The
question most asked of me is how long does it take to write a column. Varies.
If you've got something to say that's burning a hole in you, it may require
mere minutes. During the dog days of Deadsville, as
my late friend Jim Fyffe used to reference each summer, it can be a tiring,
tooth-pulling of enormous proportions.

Today, I
could fill the entire section with my admitted-emotional disdain for the
current status of college basketball in this region, specifically the
Southeastern Conference, pinpointed to the hilt at the situation at Auburn.

In a word,
awful. Not bad, not down, not unlucky. Awful.

While I
study and adore the game, people who know far more than me confirmed that
notion Sunday afternoon. The NCAA Selection Committee named three, as in a trio
out of 14 candidates, SEC teams got bids to the NCAA tournament. Florida and
Missouri were considered shoo-ins before the just-completed SEC tournament.
Nobody else was guaranteed. Ole Miss wound up making up the final league
invitee by upsetting Florida in the title game, but had to benefit from a
last-second Gator shot that seemed to go all the way through the cylinder only
to rattle out. The committee said Ole Miss was in the field anyway, but if
you're completely convinced of that allow me to show you the beachfront family
land in northern Dale County.

With the
exception of Florida and Missouri I have never seen a poorer quality of play
among any league in my 35 years of journalism. Sub-par athletes, horrible
shooters, stand-still offenses and a basketball I.Q. of a combined 146, which
is 34 points shy of a genius. My, how ironic, 34 is the same number of years
since Auburn won just nine games in a season. That's where the genius
comparisons stop abruptly, for Mighty Casey hasn't just struck out, he's hit
rock-bottom.

"Coach
Barbee and I will continue to work together to support our basketball
program...," the knee-jerk reaction read. Really? As opposed to picketing
the $120 million Auburn Arena urging the long-suffering Tiger family to go home
and not attend? A silly rationalization, obviously. But no more so than keeping
Barbee another year. In essence, Auburn gave Gene Chizik two years after the
national championship before they axed him. Barbee will apparently get four.
Rationalize that.

Barbee's
pleading his case because he has to. Next step for him in the head coaching
profession? Can you say Abilene Christian or the likes? The players say they're
staying. Uh, and where would they go? Nobody in his right mind would waste a
roster spot on them. Help's on the way? Sorta like
the six of Barbee's first eight signees headed for higher ground?

The SEC is
in fact horrible, and the nation's laughing, perhaps in part because of the
football stretch of dominance. But the fact is, every school has a two-sided
face in its national sports reputation. Football, indeed, is one of them, but
basketball is the other one. Historically, the league will get better. Kentucky
is set to sign six of the top eight recruits in the country for next season.
There is no such hope at Auburn unless a broom of mighty proportions swings
through.

Phil
Paramore's column appears Tuesday in The Dothan Eagle. He can be heard weekdays
from noon until 2 on AM 560 WOOF, 100.1 FM or at www.woofradio.com. He can be reached at the
same website..